STORY AND PHOTOS BY KAREN BOSSICK

Are you sure these are middle schoolers?

That’s the question you might be tempted to ask upon seeing The Spot’s inaugural musical featuring sixth- through eighth-graders in a new tuition-free program called Young Co. LITE.

The youngsters are performing “Beetlejuice” through Saturday, May 26, at The Spot, 220  Lewis St. in Ketchum.

Beetlejuice, played by Ali LaChance, sings “The Whole Being Dead Thing” as Beetlejuice clones look on.

They project and articulate their words better than some adults on stage. And they exhibit an enthusiasm and energy for what they’re doing, all the while exuding confidence in every dance move and spoken line, that will have you clapping furiously after each number.

“It just feels like we’ve really connected,” said Mykaela McCann, who plays Lydia Deetz, a young girl who feels invisible after losing her mother.

“It’s so fun—everyone is like a family,” added Ali LaChance, who plays Beetlejuice, a mischievous ghost.

The Spot decided to mark its 10th anniversary by starting Spot Lite Co., modeled after a  tuition-free program it has offered for several years for high school students. The cast includes kids from Hemingway STEAM School, Syringa Mountain School, Sage School, Sun Valley Community School and Wood River Middle School.

Lydia, played by Mykala McCann, engages her father played by Niko Smith and her would-be stepmother played by Leonie Wilson.

“There are limited opportunities for middle schoolers with a shared passion for theater to work in such a small group and form a true ensemble,” said Director Yanna Lantz. “It's inspiring to see them lift each other up, help a friend with a tricky choreography moment or straighten their scene partner's wig. It is clear how deeply they care about each other and the show.”

The hour-long “Beetlejuice the Musical” revolves around a deceased couple who try to haunt a neglectful father and his daughter when they move into the couple’s former home following the death of the girl’s mother.

Lydia laments being invisible, singing:

“Grownups wanna' fix things

Delia, played by Leonie Wilson, engages Libby.

When they can't, it only fills them with shame

So they just look away

Is it being greedy to need somebody to see me

And say my name?”

Miss Argentina, a member of the Netherworld played by Soleil St. Onge, shares “What I Know Now.”

Lydia bumps into the dead couple but is unable to convince her father that the house is haunted. Another spirit named Beetlejuice becomes ecstatic when he realizes Lydia can see him because he thinks she may be able to free him from his curse.

When he gives Lydia a copy of the Handbook for the Recently Deceased, she realizes it could offer a guide for reuniting with her mother.

McCann resembles Wednesday of the Addams Family in some ways as she plays a rather morose girl missing her mother whom, she said, made her whole. And LaChance displays amazing athleticism as Beetlejuice, jumping over boxes and twisting through space.

The musical is augmented by special effects and illustrations of the house projected on the screens.

“I definitely learned collaboration as we worked on this,” said Riley Meyer, a Sun Valley Community School sixth-grader who plays Barbara Maitland, who is haunting the house she once lived in.

“I learned about acting and about putting in the work and working together,” said Gracie Logan, a Sun Valley Community School student who plays several characters, including “Death by Fireworks.” “And it’s fun to let our personality shine through.”

“Everyone worked real hard, and this musical is a fun one to perform because it’s so funny. It also has a good message about being yourself,” said Alexa Fowler, who plays several characters.

Lantz said it has been a delight working with this particular age group in a pre-professional environment.

“Without cell phones and social media, there are far less distractions, a greater sense of play and a reduced fear of being perceived,” she said. “They are really excited to try new things and incorporate notes and are learning that putting in the work makes all the difference!” 

The Cast:

Alicia Archibald – Juno and others; Patrick Cohen - Adam Maitland’ Bromin Feldstein - Maxie Dean and others; Alexa Fowler – Mourner and others; Ali LaChance – Beetlejuice;  

Mykala McCann - Lydia Deetz;       

Riley Meyer - Barbara Maitland; Georgie Payne – Sky and others; Niko Smith - Charles Deetz; Soleil St.Onge - Miss Argentina and others; Leonie Wilson - Delia Schlimmer; Gracie Logan - Maxine Dean and others; Raley Gill – Otho and others; Journey Joyce – Mourner and others.  

The director is Yanna Lantz. Music director is Matt Fiorentino; choreographer, Megan Mahoney; technical director, Samuel Mollner; company manager, Brett Moellenberg, and backstage manager, Lexi Nicole Pinizzotto.

Performances start at 6:30 p.m. Thursday and Friday, May 22-23, and noon and 4 p.m. Saturday, May 24.

Tickets are available at

https://ci.ovationtix.com/35975/production/1237894.